Gorgeous ambiance and terrific food! I can’t stop thinking about the charred eggplant dip. It is not what you would expect, truly whipped and creamy, but absolutely phenomenal. The grilled branzino may have been one of the best entrees I have ever had. It was so fresh and light.
I was absolutely blown away by everything we have ordered. Everything was a 10/10. My friend is celiac and our waiter gave us a dedicated gluten free menu. Everything we ordered was so flavorful and fresh - it was a shame we didn't have room to order more. The atmosphere and vibes were also emaculate and the staff attentive despite it being pretty busy. A really solid brunch/lunch spot for sure and I would 100% come back.
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Ema, nestled in the heart of Chicago, offers a culinary experience that tantalizes the taste buds with its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. My visit to this charming restaurant was marked by a warm, inviting atmosphere that set the stage for a delightful dining adventure.
The standout dish of the evening was undoubtedly the octopus entrée. Perfectly grilled, the octopus was tender yet crisped to perfection, creating a harmonious balance of textures. Each bite was a melody of flavors, enhanced by a blend of aromatic herbs and spices typical of Mediterranean fare. This dish was not just food; it was a testament to the chef's expertise in bringing out the best in seafood.
For dessert, the 'milk and cookies' was a revelation. This wasn't your ordinary milk and cookies. The cookies were decadently rich, yet not overly sweet, perfectly complementing the creamy, chilled milk. It was a nostalgic dish, elevated to gourmet standards, and it ended the meal on a high note.
Ema's ambiance was both chic and comfortable, with decor that mirrored the lightness and freshness of its cuisine. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring a memorable dining experience. Overall, Ema stands out as a culinary gem in Chicago, perfect for those seeking a blend of exquisite flavors, cozy atmosphere, and top-notch service. The octopus and the milk and cookies dessert are must-try items that will leave you yearning for more.
First impression of this place is definitely the ambience! Super cozy and the food was amazing; Hummus was full of texture and the Lamb was cooked to perfection. Chicken skewers in combination with their tzatziki was fantastic! Highly recommend
Awesome location!!! So many delicious gluten free options, and they were super accommodating with my dairy free requests as well. They even brought out gluten free crackers to eat with the hummus, even though I hadn’t thought about ordering that (wasn’t even on the menu)- so thoughtful!! The salmon kebab with the rice was amazing, as was the Bhel Hummus (omg), the green beans were great and the falafel also very tasty. Felt like a lot of food for two people but we ate it all, of course!!! Service is awesome. Highly recommend!
Really neat fusion of Middle Eastern flavors with modern cuisine.
Some of the dishes are a little over done but in all, excellent food and presentation.
Service was good. They did forget one of our entree and apparently it was dropped off to the wrong table?
The server did offer to fire a new one but it was too late.
The food, service and the ambience was top notch. We liked the Chicken Kefta more than the Grilled Chicken. Make sure you plan ahead and reserve a table. It's so busy that you won't get a reservation using Open Table easily. Oh, don't miss the cocktails!
The foods are excellent. It comes in small dishes so you can order several things with out burden you stomach too much. Everythings that we ordered were so good. The waiter was so nice.
My daughter and I were there Saturday night Dec 16 for the first time. We loved everything about this restaurant! Food was AMAZING, service was awesome and the atmosphere was very comfortable! Highly highly recommend!
Amazing place with a good selection of preparations on the menu. I highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to dine in on a weekend. A good selection of cocktails, my recommendation would be to try the “WAKE UP CALL”. We loved how tender the octopus and chicken was in the grilled octopus and grilled chicken kebab. Definitely recommend them!
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